Page 21 of Yours To Hold
“We’re already here?”
Peering into the rearview mirror, I see Willow looking out the window.
“We are. C’mon, Willow.”
Willow, eager for the hike, unbuckles herself and is out the door as soon as the car is parked.
“I don’t think Daddy’s ever brought me out here.”
“Where do you usually go hiking?” Grabbing my camera, I lock the door behind me.
“In the mountains.”
“You go inside the mountains? What’s it like in there?” I laugh.
“You’re silly.” Willow links her hand with mine as we head out on the trail. It’s an easy one, rolling through the meadows before twisting into the foothills. “I like silly people.”
“Me too.”
It’s a different change of pace, being out here with Willow. Instead of observing everything, taking pictures, we’re enjoying ourselves.
“Are you going to be playing with me all year?” Willow asks.
“Only until the end of the summer.”
“What’s at the end of summer?”
“I’m moving to Seattle.”
“Why do you want to move to Seattle?” Willow asks. I love how inquisitive she is. Always asking questions about anything she wants.
“I love art and want to help other people love it too.”
“Like coloring?”
“Here, I’ll show you.” I point to the grasses in the field ahead of us. In the summer, it’ll be in full bloom of wildflowers. “Run through that field toward me, and I’ll take your picture.”
Willow does exactly as I tell her. Changing the settings, I snap her picture as she runs to me. Everything but her is out of focus, the grass blowing in the wind. It’s the perfect picture with me capturing her big smile.
“Come look.” I kneel down, showing her the picture through the tiny digital screen.
“How’d you do that?”
“A lot of practice.”
“That’s really pretty. Can I try?”
“Of course. Let’s find something you can take a picture of.”
“That bee!” Willow points to a bumblebee that lands on a stray branch up ahead.
“Okay.” Getting the right settings, I hold the camera and position it in front of her face.
“He’s so big!”
Her face is lit up with excitement.
It’s one of the many reasons I love photography. Seeing these kind of reactions from people fills me with so much joy. It’s why I want to pursue art.
